New Valley Hills

Reached Seldon Pass after a 3000ft climb, my body complaining from the rigours of last two days. Thunder clouds built overhead, I raced to get over.

Greeted by the most splendid view on the other side; the clouds seemed benign; I found a sun-warmed sloping granite slab and stretched out my back; listening to Closer to Fine by The Indigo Girls. Life is sweet.

I swallowed my second mosquito of the day – am I becoming a cannibal if they’d fed on human blood beforehand? An auto-cannibal if it was my blood?

Thankfully Moose had just crossed this so shouted instructions to me.

Those clouds did continue to build, the thunder became continuous as the lightening came within a mile of me then receded. Rain started- the first since May 5th- I popped on my rain jacket and plodded on through dripping forest. The smells changed from dust and pine to fungi, decaying wood, freshly watered earth and flower blossoms.

The mosquitos had been continuous all day, apart from 500ft height either side of Seldon Pass. On flat and downhill I could out pace them at 3mph, on the slowing ascents the headnet was on as they swarmed around me. Even in the rain the blighters persisted.

The final push of the day was a 1000ft ascent over one mile in humid, sticky conditions. The rain died, sun-warmed granite slabs steamed, I sweated profusely.